Department for Transport

Driving Tests: Standards

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time for the driving theory test is in each region of England.

Andrew Jones: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has a target that 95% of candidates should be offered a booking for a driving theory test within two weeks of their preferred date. DVSA uses that target to measure the length of time candidates have to wait for a theory test. At the time of writing, the national position, broken down by region, was as follows: London and South East97.12%Midlands99.46%Northern98.30%Wales and Western98.71% (figure includes England only)

Driving Tests: Standards

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) average waiting time for a practical driving test and (b) number of staffing opportunities at test centres not yet filled was in each region of England in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency recruitment strategy.

Andrew Jones: The average waiting time for a car driving test for the 2015/16 financial year was 8.4 weeks. The average waiting time for a car test measured at the time of writing (24 May) was 11.5 weeks. The following table explains the current driving examiner recruitment position: New Recruits 2015/16Planned Recruits 2016/17completed training since 1 Apr 2016currently undergoing trainingtraining start confirmedoffer made - undergoing pre- employment checkOngoing recruitment (latest advert)Scotland & N England28582816932Central England & N Wales64677424349Southern England & S Wales59589830245London & S E England421048813752 19328726288321178 During 2015 DVSA carried out a review of the end to end process of driving examiner resourcing – from forecasting demand for driving tests to understand where and how many driving examiners are needed, through the attraction and selection stages of recruitment to offer of appointment and training. The overall assessment was that there was significant scope for improvement at all stages in the process. The recommendations of the review are being implemented and include:the use of improved forecasting modelsmodernised attraction approachesmore focussed assessment methodsstreamlined training programmes. The overarching objectives are to shorten the time from a driving examiner vacancy being identified to it being filled. DVSA also wants to improve the diversity and capabilities of the new starters it appoints.

Driving Instruction: Standards

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on developing a scheme to publish pass rates of instructors as set out in his Department's Motoring Services Strategy; and how much funding he has allocated to that project.

Andrew Jones: The proposal to publish pass rates of Approved Driving Instructors forms part of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s broader plans to improve overall standards and transparency. The Agency has been exploring with the ADI National Association Strategic Partnership (NASP) the development of a voluntary ‘earned recognition’ scheme which would acknowledge and recognise the extent to which Approved Driving Instructors are compliant with regulations and/or adopting high professional standards. The Agency will want to discuss the voluntary publication of pass rates with NASP as part of their ongoing discussions. Once the scope of the proposals has been determined appropriate funding will be allocated to the overall programme of reforms.

Transport: North of England

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page 73 of the background document to the Queen's Speech 2016, published on 18 May 2016, what the £15 billion for transport across the North in this Parliament will be spent on.

Andrew Jones: Holding answer received on 26 May 2016



Government is building for Britain’s future by making the biggest investment in transport infrastructure in generations. We are building a faster, more frequent, fully integrated transport system that will help connect up Northern cities and towns, and support jobs – all of which help rebalance the economy and bring the country together. In the Queen’s Speech debate on Transport and Local Infrastructure (19 May 2016), [Official Report, column 169] the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed that the government will invest £13 billion in transport across the North of England. Together with our partners in the Northern Powerhouse, we have invested £1 billion in rail electrification which will mean more seats, and faster and more frequent rail services for passengers. We are working towards a faster, less congested road network and that means a reliable motorway network. Government has committed £2.9 billion of strategic road improvements across the North for the five year period to 2020. £500 million will also be invested for Local Authority major schemes. Government has allocated £1.3 billion for local highways maintenance in the North of England. Further details of how the £13bn will be spent can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-boost-for-northern-powerhouse In addition to this investment, the new Northern and TransPennine Express rail franchises will benefit from 500 brand new carriages, replacing the unpopular and outdated Pacer trains across the North. Government have also committed £75 million for further feasibility work on East-West road connections – one of the biggest challenges in the North. And most recently, following winter floods we have invested £180 million in the North to repair transport infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.

London-Brighton Railway Line

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by what date he plans to make a decision on upgrading the Brighton Main Line.

Claire Perry: Later this year, the rail industry will present its initial advice on investment needs for the national network, for 2019 onwards. On the basis of this advice, Government intends to articulate its emerging priorities for improvements to the national network (including possible upgrades to the Brighton Main Line) during 2017. The Thameslink Programme is already delivering a significant upgrade to the Brighton Main Line – including the major redevelopment of London Bridge station – which, from 2018 will provide more capacity and more journey options for passengers.

Driving Tests: Privatisation

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page 18 of the Motoring Services Strategy consultation, what (a) criteria, (b) process and (c) timeframe his Department plans to use to explore the possible privatisation of practical driving tests.

Andrew Jones: The Motoring Services Strategy was published on 12 May. As this document explains, we are exploring whether other models of service delivery might offer a better and more flexible range of services to road users, either as alternatives to the current arrangements or to complement them, including involving the private sector in delivering some or all of the services.This is in line with the Government’s wider agenda to ensure that the driver testing and training regime prepares new drivers for a wide range of real life driving conditions and situations.No decision has been taken about the preferred option or range of options, and we are committed to ensuring that, whatever model may eventually be chosen (including the option of retaining the present system), current standards of propriety and testing will be maintained. We are clear that road safety is our top priority and therefore the high quality and integrity of the UK’s driver testing regime must not be compromised by any changes to the delivery model.We will work with DVSA, stakeholders and customer groups to assess the viability of those options with the aim of improving road safety.

Vauxhall

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the vehicle safety recalls of Vauxhall Zafira B models, what assurances he has received from Vauxhall that all blower motors will be replaced in every vehicle that has been recalled.

Andrew Jones: Under the secondary safety recall (R/2016/104) all affected Vauxhall Zafira B vehicles equipped with manual control heating and ventilation systems produced between 10/02/2005 and 24/10/2014 will be recalled to receive a new heater blower motor as part of the safety recall.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Hotels

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the cost to his Department was of hotel bookings made for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials of his Department in each of the last five years.

Mr David Lidington: In line with UK government commitments to increase transparency, the Department publishes details on our spend, including data on expenses, travel and hotel costs on GOV.UK. Publication includes all spend which, in compliance with HM Treasury guidance, does not compromise national or personal security, foreign relations or legal obligations under acts such as the Data Protection Act. Total travel and subsistence spend is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-and-commonwealth-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2014-to-2015  Information on our Ministers expenses and hospitality are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/minister-data

EU Law

Mrs Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 4 May 2016 to Question 33530, on EU law, if he will place in the Library a list of those proposals on which texts have been agreed at COREPER level and which are waiting full council consideration.

Mr David Lidington: The Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) prepares items for agreement by Ministers attending the Council of the European Union, in line with the UK negotiating position agreed by HMG Ministers. Legislative proposals are subject to scrutiny by Parliament in accordance with the Scrutiny Reserve Resolutions prior to adoption at Council. Council meetings are reported to both Houses by Written or, in exceptional cases, Oral Statements, with letters sent to the European Select Committees in recess. Provisional agendas for Council and COREPER meetings can be accessed through the website of the Council of the European Union: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/documents-publications/

EU Staff: British Nationality

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK nationals have been on the staff of the European Parliament in each year since 2010; and what proportion of such staff in each such year were of administrator grade.

Mr David Lidington: Holding answer received on 26 May 2016






An error has been identified in the written answer given on 26 May 2016.The correct answer should have been:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available. The European Parliament does not publish statistics on numbers of permanent staff by nationality. According to our own internal records, the total numbers of UK nationals employed by the European Parliament, including secondees, in each year since 2010 are: 2010: 290 (149 at AD)2011: 306 (159 at AD)2012: 305 (155 at AD)2013: 291 (152 at AD)2014: 271 (152 at AD)2015: 251 (141 at AD)The latest figure available is for May 2016 and is 257 (146 at AD).

Mr David Lidington: Holding answer received on 26 May 2016



The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available. The European Parliament does not publish statistics on numbers of permanent staff by nationality. According to our own internal records, the total numbers of UK nationals employed by the European Parliament, including secondees, in each year since 2010 are: 2010: 290 (149 at AD)2011: 306 (159 at AD)2012: 305 (155 at AD)2013: 291 (152 at AD)2014: 271 (152 at AD)2015: 251 (141 at AD)The latest figure available is for May 2016 and is 257 (146 at AD).

Burma: Rohingya

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Burmese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aung San Suu Kyi, on human rights for the Rohingya.

Mr Hugo Swire: We remain deeply concerned about the plight of the Rohingya community. The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) raised the situation of the Rohingya with Aung San Suu Kyi during his conversation with her after the Burmese election in November. The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), subsequently wrote to Daw Suu in December, again raising this issue. The Burma Resolution at the March Human Rights Council, which we co-sponsored, placed Rakhine as the central and most pressing human rights matter facing the incoming administration.While the new Government has been in power for a few weeks only, we will continue to support and encourage Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy-led Government in making progress on this important issue.

North Korea: Nuclear Weapons

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Japanese and (b) South Korean counterparts on North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

Mr Hugo Swire: We have regular contact with key partners on this issue, including Japan and South Korea. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) discussed this issue with his Japanese counterpart and others at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Hiroshima on 11 April.The G7 issued a joint communiqué [http://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000147440.pdf] strongly condemning the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s nuclear tests and calling upon the international community to enforce the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions to respond to the clear and continuing threat to international peace and security that is posed by the DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Northern Ireland Office

Common Travel Area

Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on the Common Travel Area of the UK voting to leave the EU.

Mr Ben Wallace: If the UK voted to leave the EU, it is not clear that the Common Travel Area could continue to operate with the UK outside the EU, and Ireland inside, in the same way that it did before both countries joined the EU.

Northern Ireland Office: Pay

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the average hourly earnings were of her Department's (a) BME and (b) non-BME employees in (i) 2015 and (ii) 2016.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: My Department does not hold the information requested in this format. To create this information would incur a disproportionate cost.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Companies: Ownership

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether it is his policy that the proposed public register of beneficial owners of companies will provide details of the names of (a) trust or company service providers and (b) other third parties which incorporate those companies.

Anna Soubry: Holding answer received on 25 May 2016



Since 6th April this year, UK companies (with exception of listed companies), limited liability partnerships and societates europaeae have been required to hold a register of people with significant control (PSC register). The register records the ultimate owners and controllers of UK companies. It is designed to record individuals. However, where a company is owned by another company that is also required to hold a PSC register, or is subject to equivalent disclosure requirements, those companies should be recorded on the register. Where a company is owned and or controlled by a third party incorporation agent including Trust and Company Service Providers (TCSP) and they are also required to hold a PSC register or are subject to equivalent transparency requirements then they would be required to be registered on that company’s PSC register. If the third party incorporation agent is not required to hold its own PSC register then the UK company would be required to look further up the ownership chain to identify who owns and controls the TCSP. The ultimate owner would be recorded on the PSC register. Where a third party incorporation agent has incorporated a company on behalf of someone else and they do not own or control the company, then the register would not record the third party incorporation agent details. It would instead record who actually owns and controls that UK company. How the PSC register works is explained in detailed guidance that has been prepared by BIS with the help of a working group of businesses, lawyers and civil society organisations. The guidance can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-the-people-with-significant-control-requirements-for-companies-and-limited-liability-partnerships.

Property: Ownership

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the press release, PM holds major summit as part of global drive to expose, punish and drive out corruption, published on 12 May 2016, what the timetable is for the (a) formulation and (b) implementation of the Government's plans to require foreign companies that own property in the UK to declare their real owners.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to the press release, PM holds major summit as part of global drive to expose, punish and drive out corruption, published on 12 May 2016, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals requiring foreign companies that own property in the UK to declare their real owners.

Anna Soubry: At the International Anti-Corruption Summit in London on 12 May, my Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister announced that we will require foreign companies that own or purchase UK properties or bid on UK Government procurement contracts to provide details of their beneficial owners to a public central register. This will be the first register of its kind in the world. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will consult with experts to develop the policy throughout the year and consult formally on the detail of the policy in due course. Implementation of the new register requirements is expected to require both primary and secondary legislation, which we intend to introduce when Parliamentary time allows.

Department for International Development

Department for International Development: Food

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the annual budget is for food produced for her Department's offices; and what proportion of food produced for her Department was sourced from British producers in the last period for which figures are available.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Department for International Development does not set a budget for food served in its Department’s offices. Catering services are provided by a private company under contract to Department for International Development and provides food to staff without subsidy. Spending on food is determined by the contractor based on sales receipts from DFID staff.

Sri Lanka: Floods

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department is providing to people affected by flooding in Sri Lanka.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The UK provides substantial funding to international NGOs and UN agencies, enabling them to respond to disasters around the world, including Sri Lanka. This includes the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) , which was established by the UN and other leading donors to enable rapid emergency response. The CERF is doing an assessment of the situation following the rainfall and landslips in Sri Lanka. The UK, along with other leading donors, will provide support as required through this coordinated response mechanism.The UK is the biggest contributor to the CERF, having provided in excess of $855m in the last 10 years. The UK also provides funding to the European Union humanitarian agency (ECHO) which is also undertaking an assessment.

Developing Countries: Explosives

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a commitment at the World Humanitarian Summit 2016 to work to prevent harm from the use of wide-area explosive weapons in populated areas.

Mr Desmond Swayne: At the World Humanitarian Summit this week the UK reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and enhancing the protection of civilians and civilian objects, by strengthening compliance with International Law. We condemn targeting of civilians and the indiscriminate or disproportionate use of any weapon.

Developing Countries: Education

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether the Government plans to become a founding donor of the Education Cannot Wait fund for education in emergencies when it is launched at the World Humanitarian Summit 2016.

Mr Nick Hurd: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I provided on 24 May to Question number 37332.

Leader of the House

Leader of the House of Commons: Food

Nick Smith: To ask the Leader of the House, what the annual budget is for food produced for his Office; and what proportion of food produced for his Office was sourced from British producers in the last period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 31 May 2016, to Question UIN 37901.

Ministry of Defence

Falkland Islands: Armed Forces

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) helicopters, (b) Royal Navy ships and (c) Royal Air Force aircraft are stationed in the Falkland Islands.

Penny Mordaunt: Four contractor-owned and operated helicopters are currently stationed in the Falkland Islands. Two AW-189 helicopters deliver search and rescue services and two S-61 helicopters deliver a medium lift capability. One River Class patrol ship (HMS CLYDE), one C-130, one Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft, and four Typhoon aircraft are also currently stationed in the Falklands.In accordance with the Secretary of State's announcement to the House on 24 March 2015 (Official Report, column 1302), two Chinook helicopters are due to return to the Falkland Islands. The first of these will begin operations in July 2016.

Falkland Islands: Armed Forces

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force personnel are stationed in the Falkland Islands.

Penny Mordaunt: As of 24 May 2016, there were 59 Royal Navy, 483 Army and 600 Royal Air Force personnel stationed in the Falkland Islands.

Falkland Islands: Armed Forces

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what facilities are available in the Falkland Islands for the repair of (a) helicopters, (b) ships and (c) aircraft; and on how many occasions military vehicles of each such type have been returned to the UK for repairs which were not capable of being undertaken on those Islands.

Penny Mordaunt: Technical equipment and personnel are available in the Falkland Islands to conduct routine maintenance on helicopters, ships and aircraft. On-island records extend only to the last 18 months and in that time no helicopters or ships have been returned to the UK for repairs. Aircraft are rotated on occasion between the Falkland Islands and other MOD locations in order to best utilise the fleet and to conduct complex maintenance.

Ministry of Defence: Empty Property

Tom Tugendhat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's target is for the proportion of its properties that are classified as void.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) target for the proportion of Service Family Accommodation properties classified as void is 10 per cent which allows the MOD to facilitate moves in and out of each area, support short notice requirements and allow for upgrades to take place.

Ministry of Defence: Empty Property

Tom Tugendhat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of his Department's properties classified as void.

Tom Tugendhat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans for the disposal of his Department's vacant properties in the UK.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is developing an ambitious programme of estate rationalisation which will provide a plan for a smaller, but significantly better Defence estate to meet the needs of the Armed Forces as set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015. This strategic review of the Defence estate will provide a more efficient and better infrastructure laydown in support of military capability for future generations. The MOD expects to announce the final results of this review in the autumn. When the MOD no longer has a requirement for vacant properties they will be disposed of in accordance with the standard disposal procedure.The MOD is also reducing the number of voids by leasing out vacant properties from directly renting to the general public and through other organisations. A number of properties are also vacant awaiting the return of remaining Army personnel and families from Germany over the next three years who will require accommodation.

Ministry of Defence: Empty Property

Tom Tugendhat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of his Department's properties classified as void have been empty for over 12 months.

Tom Tugendhat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of his Department's properties and in which locations are classified as void.

Penny Mordaunt: The number and locations of properties classified as void as of 24 May 2016 are shown in the table below: CountyVoidsABERDEENSHIRE5ANGUS20ARGYLL AND BUTE237AVON42AYRSHIRE21BEDFORDSHIRE194BERKS276BUCKS183CAITHNESS1CAMBS373CHESHIRE50CLWYD1CORNWALL46*COUNTY ANTRIM647*COUNTY DOWN397COUNTY DURHAM16CUMBRIA14DEVON202DORSET151DUMBARTON4DUMFRIES3DURHAM8DYFED45EAST SUSSEX2EAST YORKSHIRE4EDINBURGH169ESSEX155FIFE221GLOUCESTERSHIRE88GWENT45GWYNEDD53**HANTS1074HEREFORDSHIRE8HERTS176INVERNESS-SHIRE58ISLE OF BENBECULA3KENT483LANCASHIRE86LEICESTERSHIRE162LINCOLNSHIRE294LONDON86MIDDLESEX163MIDLOTHIAN43MORAY121NORFOLK209NORTH LANARKSHIRE4NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE3NORTH YORKS522NORTHUMBERLAND67NOTTINGHAM58ORKNEY ISLANDS1OXON361OXON1PEMBROKE4PERTH3POWYS64RENFREWSHIRE26ROSS AND CROMARTY1SHETLAND ISLANDS1SHROPSHIRE223SOMERSET90SOUTH GLAMORGAN111SOUTH YORKS2ST ANDREWS3STAFFORDSHIRE83STIRLING1SUFFOLK281SURREY222SWINDON, WILTS19TYNE AND WEAR12WARWICKSHIRE69WEST MIDLANDS9WEST SUSSEX14WEST YORKS2***WILTS1294YORKSHIRE29(blank) Total Voids10219  Of these properties 4623 were vacant for more than 12 months. *The majority of void properties in Northern Ireland are awaiting demolition while 59 have been gifted to the NI Executive. **Void properties in Hants have been retained due to short term Ministry of Defence requirements and plans have been made to release many of these for disposal. ***In the Wiltshire region a number of properties remain void to accommodate Army personnel returning to the area from Germany as a result of the Army Basing Programme.

Armed Forces: Housing

Tom Tugendhat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost was for (a) management of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation estate of Service Family Accommodation (SFA), (b) the maintenance of SFA and (c) improvements to SFA in (i) 2013, (ii) 2014 and (iii) 2015.

Penny Mordaunt: The cost for the management of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation estate of Service Family Accommodation (SFA), the maintenance of SFA and the improvements to SFA, by financial year (FY), can be found within the table below.  FY 2012-13FY 2013-14FY 2014-15FY 2015-16Totals £ million£ million£ million£ million£ millionManagement of DIO Estate20.615.720.418.875.5  Maintenance of SFA4239.941.140.9164.5  Improvements64.596.365.956.7283.4  Totals127.1151.9127.4117.4523.8

Syria: Armed Conflict

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information he holds on the airstrike that hit a Médecins Sans Frontières Hospital in Aleppo on 28 April 2016.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence has seen published reports in relation to this incident, which is one of a number of such attacks against medical facilities in opposition-held eastern Aleppo since 22 April. We condemn any intentional targeting of medical facilities and, while we are not able to comment on the detail of this particular incident, we consider it likely that most of these attacks have been carried out by the Regime or its backers.

Syria: Armed Conflict

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civilian deaths have been recorded from UK airstrikes in Syria since the UK military campaign started.

Michael Fallon: There has been no credible evidence or report of civilian casualties as a result of UK airstrikes in Syria since the UK military campaign started.

Warships: South Atlantic

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to deploy a Type 23 Frigate or Type 45 Destroyer as part of the South Atlantic Patrol Tasking.

Penny Mordaunt: The Royal Navy conducts routine deployments in the Atlantic region. However, for reasons of safeguarding national security, we do not discuss the detail of such operations, as this would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.The Royal Navy also maintains a permanent presence in the South Atlantic in the form of the Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel, HMS CLYDE, supported by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship. The Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship, HMS PROTECTOR, also operates in the South Atlantic region for periods of the year.

Yemen: Military Intervention

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of the use of UK-supplied BL-755 cluster munitions by the Saudi Arabian-led coalition on the civilian population in Yemen.

Mr Philip Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the Statement I made on 24 May 2016 (Official Report, column 401).



Hansard extract on Yemen: Cluster Munitions
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Armed Forces

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the strength of full-time members of the (a) army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force was on 1 January 2016.

Mark Lancaster: Full details of trained and untrained strengths of the UK Armed Forces are included in the UK Armed Forces Monthly Service Personnel Statistics, which can be found at the following address:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-monthly-service-personnel-statistics-2016

Ministry of Defence Police

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who pays for the services of the Ministry of Defence Police when they work on US bases in the UK.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) provides services by arrangement to the United States Visiting Forces. The US Authorities are responsible for bearing the cost of the services of the MDP deployed on operational duty at RAF bases in the UK that are made available to the United States Visiting Forces.

Ministry of Defence Police

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, to whom Ministry of Defence Police working on US bases in the UK are directly accountable.

Penny Mordaunt: All Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police Officers deployed on operational duty at RAF bases in the UK that are made available to the United States Visiting Forces are directly accountable to, and under the direction and control of the Chief Constable MOD Police.

RAF Croughton

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the proposed redevelopment of USAF Croughton by the US has been confirmed to him.

Penny Mordaunt: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State (Michael Fallon) on 8 January 2015.



Hansard extract on Infrastructure Review
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Defence Equipment: Procurement

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of military equipment procurement was from UK suppliers in each of the last 10 years.

Mr Philip Dunne: Information on Ministry of Defence (MOD) expenditure with industry, including the amount spent with UK suppliers, is published on gov.uk at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-industry-trade-and-contracts-2015.The details in table eight show that, since 2010-11, the MOD has spent around £19.5 billion each year with UK industry. The table shows the expenditure broken down by broad industrial group, but information specifically on the proportion of military equipment procured from UK suppliers is not centrally held. Total MOD equipment expenditure (not just with UK industry) can, however, be found in table four at the following link, but this is not broken down by country:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/defence-departmental-resources-2015.Details of MOD expenditure with industry for the years prior to 2010-11 are available in table 1.10 at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-defence-statistics-compendium-2011.It should be noted that these earlier statistics were prepared using a different methodology, which means that the figures are not directly comparable to those from 2010-11 onwards.

Department for Work and Pensions

Whooping Cough: Vaccination

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) claims and (b) payments were made following claim approval for vaccine damage for whooping cough in each year since 2003.

Justin Tomlinson: Information regarding claims and awards in respect of each particular disease/vaccine is unavailable. This is because this information is not collected or collated. The Vaccine Damage Payments Unit administers the Scheme but do not collate information about vaccinations given to those claiming or receiving a payment under the scheme. As a number of vaccinations are often given in close proximity, often on the same day, it is not always possible to state categorically which has caused the adverse reaction. Such data is not required for the administration of the scheme.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payment appeals his Department conceded prior to their being heard at the First-Tier Tribunal in the last 12 months.

Justin Tomlinson: The requested information could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a jobseeker's allowance claimant can be sanctioned for failing to attend an interview at an unspecified time.

Priti Patel: Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants can incur a sanction if they fail to participate in an interview, without good reason. However, in accordance with the Jobseeker’s Allowance legislation, where a claimant is required to participate in an interview, they must be notified, of the time and place of that interview. Therefore, Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants cannot be sanctioned for failing to attend an interview at an unspecified time.

Personal Independence Payment

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 3 May 2016 to Question 35165, on Personal Independence Payments, what steps his Department is taking better to understand why sufficient documentary evidence is not being sought during the assessment and mandatory reconsideration stages.

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 3 May 2016 to Question 35165, on Personal Independence Payments, what proportion of overturns resulted from (a) oral and (b) documentary evidence submitted to the Tribunal.

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 3 May 2016 to Question 35165, on Personal Independence Payments, what changes his Department has put in place to take account of the finding that 75 per cent of successful appeals resulted from additional oral or documentary evidence being submitted.

Justin Tomlinson: The 75% can be broken down as follows: Cogent oral evidence – 66%Cogent documentary evidence supplied at the appeal – 9% These figures are from internal DWP systems, where only one of possible multiple reasons can be recorded, and are derived from unpublished information and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics standard. The Department encourages claimants to provide as much relevant evidence as necessary to support their claim. The “How your disability affects you” form and accompanying guidance sets out the range of information that can help the Department reach a decision. The guidance for Health Professionals also sets out sources of further evidence which could help inform their advice to the Department. At the Mandatory Reconsideration stage, again claimants are encouraged to provide any further evidence about their disability. Following the first independent review of Personal Independence by Paul Gray, the Department is reviewing all communications (including those used by Assessment Providers) it has with claimants throughout the claim, assessment and reconsideration process to ensure that claimants clearly understand the importance of providing sufficient evidence to support their claim and application. Further, once a claimant has submitted their claim, the Department has created a new Standard Work Instructions (SWI) for its decision making staff to gain further evidence, where appropriate. For Mandatory Reconsideration, the SWI puts a process in place to establish what the areas for dispute are, consider any gaps in the evidence, ensure any expected further medical evidence is received and referring that to the Assessment Provider. “

Jobcentres

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what data Jobcentre Plus sets down against a claimant who does not attend a non-mandatory group information session.

Priti Patel: Non-mandatory group information sessions are often used by Jobcentres to offer general information; advice and guidance aimed at helping people improve their employment prospects. Where used, these groups run alongside the personalised one-to-one support, which is provided through the claimant’s work coach. Where a claimant has not attended a non-mandatory group information session, work coaches will, as part of their regular contacts with claimants, pick-up a discussion about any help the claimant may need.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people (a) successfully made an application for Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) and (b) were unsuccessful in an application for JSA following a Genuine Prospect of Work assessment in the last two years.

Priti Patel: The Department does not record statistics on applications for Jobseeker’s Allowance following a genuine prospect of work assessment.To collate the information requested would take the costs of responding to the question over the disproportionate cost threshold.

Work Capability Assessment

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidelines his Department issues to its staff on carrying out Genuine Prospect of Work assessments.

Priti Patel: Guidance for Department for Work and Pensions staff responsible for carrying out Genuine Prospect of Work tests can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/510008/dmgch0703.pdf

Employment and Support Allowance

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 28 April 2016 to Question 34944, on Employment and Support Allowance, if he will publish the guidance on all aspects of the Work Capability Assessment including the application of Regulation 35 of the Employment Allowance Regulations 2008.

Priti Patel: The revised version of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) Handbook, which contains written guidance on all aspects of the Work Capability Assessment including the application of Regulation 35, will be published in due course.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department issues on ensuring that correspondence issued by Jobcentre Plus complies with the provisions of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996 on information relating to notification of the time and place of an interview.

Priti Patel: Guidance makes clear that when requiring participation in an interview the relevant notification is issued to the claimant, which contains details of the date, time and place of the appointment.

Department for Work and Pensions: Pay

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average hourly earnings were of his Department's (a) BME and (b) non-BME employees in (i) 2015 and (ii) 2016.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department for Work and Pensions pays employees an annual salary and does not pay an hourly rate. The Department uses a grade structure to determine salary rates. The grade structure is underpinned by Job Evaluation and Grading Support (JEGS), an analytical job evaluation tool which meets all requirements of legislation and EHRC statutory codes of practice on Equal Pay. The use of JEGS and its application in determining the appropriate grade for a role enables us to determine where employees are doing equal work based on “work rated as equivalent”. DWP Equality data is published on an annual basis on https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/equality-and-diversity this includes the average pay by indicated ethnicity each year up to 2015. The main factor influencing the DWP pay gap is the difference in distribution of staff within each of these groups across the grades. DWP continues to regularly review ways to address the pay gap. This report is usually published in July each year and looks at data over the previous financial year. The report for 2016 is not yet available.

State Retirement Pensions

Ian Blackford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 24 May 2016 to Question 37321, on healthy life expectancy, what specific assessment he has made of what account is taken of healthy life expectancy distinct from life expectancy in making decisions on future levels of pension age.

Justin Tomlinson: In making decisions on future State Pension age arrangements the Secretary of State will be informed by the first review, established under the Pensions Act 2014, which is due to report by May 2017. This review will take into account up to date life expectancy data and the report from the independently led review. The purpose of the independent report is to recommend to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what to consider when making decisions on future State Pension age arrangements. In conducting its analysis and reaching recommendations the review will also to have regard to variations between different groups and the views of organisation and individuals on factors to be taken into account. It will consult widely to ensure that it has considered the appropriate evidence and the range of views of interested parties.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Birds: Conservation

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to protect and help encourage curlew and lapwing habitats.

Rory Stewart: Both lapwings and curlews are priorities for conservation action. For example, the Government’s agri-environment schemes have been designed to encourage habitat management to promote their conservation in targeted areas, specifically to provide suitable nesting and foraging conditions. Many of the most important sites for nesting lapwings are managed as nature reserves by Government and non-government organisations. In such cases highly specialised management can lead to high numbers breeding in relatively small areas. Success has also been achieved through agricultural schemes such as the Peppering Project on the Arundel estate. Curlews are more widespread and their specific requirements for breeding are less well-understood. Natural England, together with the RSPB, is conducting research to better tailor upland land management to the specific needs of curlews and to support lapwing breeding. As part of Defra’s programme of monitoring agri-environment schemes, Natural England has commissioned a survey of breeding waders (including lapwings and curlews) in upland areas in England to measure the effectiveness of these schemes. As with all wild birds, lapwings and curlews are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Cats

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many kittens and cats entered the UK under the EU Pet Travel Scheme in (a) 2015 and (b) each previous year since that scheme's introduction.

George Eustice: The number of pet cats entering Great Britain from January 2004 to December 2015 under the EU Pet Travel Scheme is detailed below. YearTotal20047314200585442006945020079935200811643200967892010787020118280201214601201314147201415081201521404 Kittens which are old enough to meet the requirements for the scheme will be included in these figures. The statistics are provided by the carriers transporting pet animals on approved routes into Great Britain.

Glyphosate

Mrs Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of glyphosate usage in farming and crop production; and what her policy is on the European Commission's proposals to re-approve that use for the next 15 years.

George Eustice: Glyphosate is an important element of effective and economic weed control in crop production. It is also of value in other sectors, such as the maintenance of roads and railways.The Government recognises the importance of effective pesticides and believes that they should be authorised where the scientific evidence shows they do not pose unacceptable risks to human health or the environment.The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that glyphosate met these standards and UK experts agree. The Government therefore considers that glyphosate should be approved.

Pigmeat: Exports

Kevin Hollinrake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made on developing the pork export accreditation protocol.

George Eustice: Defra has submitted detailed information required by the Chinese authorities, which they are reviewing. The UK Agriculture, Food and Drink Counsellor, based in Beijing, has met with the Chinese authorities to raise the importance of this agreement and we continue to press for expeditious consideration of the UK application to allow exports of UK pigs’ trotters to commence as soon as possible.

Nature Conservation: Crime

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the status is of the draft Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations; and when those regulations are expected to be adopted into UK law.

Rory Stewart: Following consultation on proposals to update and consolidate the existing legislation on the control of trade in endangered species last year, work to finalise a new regulation is nearing completion. The aim remains for the new regulation to come into force as soon as possible, in the second half of this year.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Temporary Accommodation: Sleeping Rough

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 18 April 2016 to Question 33117, which programmes the reprioritisation of £100 million in capital funding to deliver low-cost second stage accommodation for rough sleepers will affect.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department is not reducing delivery of any existing programmes. We are confident that we will be able to meet this new pressure through careful management and review of existing capital budgets. This may include use of receipts from other programmes and re-profiling underspends on capital grant programmes. The reprioritisation of the money means that the Department’s homelessness budget now has an additional £100 million to spend on programmes to help those vulnerable and at risk of homelessness.

Wales Office

Wales Office: Food

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the annual budget is for food produced for his Department's offices; and what proportion of food produced for his Department was sourced from British producers in the last period for which figures are available.

Guto Bebb: Given the small amount of expenditure involved, the Wales Office does not have a budget specifically for food. It uses external caterers to supply food and drink for events in its London and Cardiff offices. Records are not kept on where the food is sourced from.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Department for Energy and Climate Change: Food

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the annual budget is for food produced for her Department's offices; and what proportion of food produced for her Department was sourced from British producers in the last period for which figures are available.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not have an annual food budget. Catering services are provided via a DEFRA contract which is operated on a nil subsidy basis. Annual spend is determined by the contractor and is informed by private sales to members of staff. Forty-eight percent of food and drink provided through this contract is sourced from UK producers (based on figures for Jan-Mar 2016). This proportion reflects that a large volume of food and drink sold to staff includes non-indigenous products such as rice, pasta, tea, coffee and bananas, and that as this period falls in the Winter season there are out of UK seasonal products procured from the wider EU. One hundred percent of beef, chicken, lamb, pork, free range eggs, milk and yoghurt is sourced from the UK.

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office: Food

Nick Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much is spent from the public purse on food procured for (a) his Department and (b) the Prime Minister's Office; and what proportion of food procured for each was sourced from British producers in the last period for which figures are available.

Matthew Hancock: Information on expenditure on food is not held separately to overall expenditure on catering, hospitality and subsistence, which is normally sold with no subsidy.

Census: Armed Forces

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps with the Office for National Statistics to ensure that questions on the armed forces are better included in the next national census.

Matthew Hancock: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) this week published their current view on the topics proposed for inclusion in the 2021 Census; this includes a specific report outlining their view on information on Armed Forces. This current position follows a public consultation seeking evidence on the information needs for the 2021 Census which generated nearly 1,100 responsesONS recognise that "there is a clear need for information on the armed forces community" but currently considers that it would be better to make use of existing administrative data than ask a question of all 26 million households in England and Wales in 2021. ONS will be working with the Ministry of Defence and other relevant agencies across government to consider a range of options to best meet the user need.

Women and Equalities

Gender Recognition

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to publish a response to the First Report from the Women and Equalities Committee, Session 2015-16, HC 390, on Transgender equality; and if she will make a statement.

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the recommendations of the First Report of Session 2015-16, from the Women and Equalities Committee, HC 390, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the implications for sex-specific health planning and provision of amending the Equalities Act 2010 to remove the protection for single-sex provision; and if she will make a statement.

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the First Report from the Women and Equalities Committee, Session 2015-16, on Transgender equality, HC 390, what consultation she has undertaken on the potential implications for single-sex provision in women's refuges and other services for victims of domestic or sexual violence of changes to the Equalities Act 2010 recommended in that report; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government has welcomed the report from the Women and Equalities Select Committee into transgender equality.The report provides a substantial number of recommendations covering almost a dozen public bodies, including several recommendations which call for significant changes to legislation and reforms to the NHS. Government is carefully considering these recommendations.We continually engage with stakeholders from women’s and transgender communities and we would consider their views before making any changes to legislation.

Immigrants: Detainees

Neil Coyle: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Home Affairs on the number of pregnant women who have been detained for immigration purposes since central recording statistics on such cases began and the outcomes of their detention.

Karen Bradley: The detention of pregnant women under Immigration Act powers occurs only in very limited situations, either where there is a clear prospect of early removal or in very exceptional circumstances. Very few pregnant women are detained. Central recording of the number of detained women who have disclosed their pregnancy started in August 2015. Options for the collection of wider data on pregnant women is being considered as part of the Immigration Act 2016 implementation.